Former Hall Commissioner Dennis Pitts dies at age 58

First GOP member of board was close ally of lt. governor

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Former Hall County Commissioner Dennis A. Pitts died Saturday at his family’s farm in Oglethorpe County. He was 58.Pitts was Hall County’s first Republican commissioner, serving two terms beginning in 1994.

After working in real estate for many years, he served in the office of his close friend, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, beginning in 2007. He served as Cagle’s North Georgia field representative and as chief economic development officer.

Tom Oliver, a former Board of Commissioners member and chairman, remembered Pitts as a “super” and “great” guy to work with.

Oliver said the two became great friends after running against each other in the election Pitts won for his commissioner’s post.

“We were in the general election and he won the election,” Oliver said. “I had not known Dennis until then, but after the election, we became good friends and remained good friends.

“I hated to hear about Dennis passing.”

Oliver reminisced about fond and funny memories of his friend, saying he never saw Pitts wear any clothes that had a wrinkle in them.

“We were truly on opposite ends of the equation there,” he said. “Because I never saw him where his jeans weren’t pressed and his shirt pressed. ...We would just laugh about that. It was always one of those side bits that we enjoyed.

“His hair was always combed and in place. Some of us had some that was in place and some of us didn’t have any hair at all. It was just a very warm and very friendly relationship and I sure will miss him.”

In business, he became president and chief financial officer of Minit Save Food Stores and Pitts Management Co.

Pitts was a 1973 graduate of Johnson High School and an avid outdoorsman who spent time hunting, fishing, running, swimming, and cycling, including riding 55 miles on his 55th birthday.

He was a member of First Baptist Church of Gainesville.

Pitts is survived by his wife, Jane Pirkle Pitts; his parents, Polly Algood and Bobby Lee Pitts; and several siblings.A memorial service is set for 10 a.m. Monday at 978 Arnold Caldwell Road in Carlton.